Portsmouth, on the Solent

How long does the drive to Portsmouth take?

From Heathrow, the route runs round the M25 to the A3 and then south through Surrey and Hampshire to the M27 and M275 into Portsmouth. From central London, the A3 starts in south-west London and leads out through Wandsworth, Kingston and past Guildford.

Figures come from road routing, with an allowance for busy periods. The A3 through south-west London and the approach to Guildford can be slow in the rush hour, and summer weekends bring heavier traffic to the south coast.

What is special about sailing from Portsmouth?

Portsmouth handles fewer cruise calls than Southampton, and its ships tend to be smaller, which often means quicker embarkation and a more relaxed terminal. Sailing out past the Round Tower, Old Portsmouth and the naval dockyard, with the Isle of Wight across the Solent, is a memorable start to any voyage.

Because the port is shared with busy ferry routes, the terminal area can be lively at the same time as cruise embarkation. Signs and staff direct cruise passengers, and your chauffeur will take you to the correct drop-off point for your ship.

When should you leave for embarkation?

Work back from the start of your embarkation window using the busy-period drive time. From central London, leaving two and a half hours before the window opens gives a comfortable margin on most days, and three hours on a summer Saturday or a bank holiday weekend.

If you are arriving at Heathrow on the day of sailing, allow for the arrivals process as well as the drive. An overnight flight landing early in the morning can work for an afternoon embarkation, but only if the flight is on time, so many passengers prefer to arrive the day before.

Can you drive from Gatwick to Portsmouth?

Yes. Gatwick is about 67 miles from the port, and the route runs west across Sussex on the A264 and A24 before joining the A27 along the coast. It usually takes around an hour and a half off-peak, slightly longer than the drive from Heathrow despite the shorter distance, because more of it is on single-carriageway roads.

Give us your flight number, and the chauffeur will follow the flight and meet you in the arrivals hall before heading to the coast.

Which car suits a Portsmouth cruise?

Cruise luggage is bulky, and formal wear makes it more so. For two passengers on a week-long cruise, the V-Class is usually the better choice than a saloon. For families and groups, the V-Class keeps everyone and every case together.

If you are combining a cruise with time on the Isle of Wight or in Hampshire, tell us about the whole trip. We can plan a transfer to a hotel before or after the voyage as part of the same booking.

Can you collect us when the ship returns?

Yes. Give us the ship and the date. Your chauffeur will wait near the terminal exit during disembarkation and follow the ship’s arrival if it runs late. For an onward flight on the same day, choose a departure time that leaves several hours after the ship docks, because disembarkation and the drive to Heathrow or Gatwick together take most of a morning.

Can we see Portsmouth before we sail?

Yes, and it is worth it if your embarkation window starts in the afternoon. The Historic Dockyard, with HMS Victory and the Mary Rose, is a few minutes from the port, and Gunwharf Quays and the Spinnaker Tower are close by. We can take you and your luggage to the port to check in early where your cruise line allows it, or plan a stop on the way if your cases can stay in the car.

Tell us what you have in mind when you book. An hourly booking can cover a few hours in the city followed by the drop-off at the terminal.

Which road does the chauffeur take?

For most journeys from London, the A3 is the backbone of the route. It is dual carriageway almost all the way from the M25 to the coast, including the Hindhead tunnel, which removed one of the old bottlenecks on the road. At the southern end, the chauffeur joins the M27 and M275 into Portsmouth. From Heathrow, the M25 south to the A3 at Wisley is the usual link.

Do you cover ferry passengers too?

Yes. Foot passengers on the ferries to France, Spain and the Channel Islands often need a car to or from London or the airports, and the same port drop-off and pickup arrangements apply. Give us the sailing and the ferry company, and the chauffeur will meet you at the foot passenger area on your return.